Candidate's campaign signs to be withdrawn and relabeled

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Former Bainbridge Island Councilman Bob Scales, who is running for Kitsap County prosecutor, will withdraw and relabel some campaign materials that violate a state elections rule.

Scales' campaign will not face sanctions from the state elections watchdog for the violation, which comes from some signs and other campaign materials missing the words "elect" or "vote for," a spokeswoman for the Public Disclosure Commission said Tuesday.

Challengers to an incumbent must include those words on the campaign materials so that the materials do not give the impression the challenger already holds the position.

Kirsten Hytopoulos, Scales' campaign committee co-chair, said the corrected signs should be reposted by Wednesday.

"This is simply a misunderstanding," Hytopoulos said.

The corrections would take minimal effort, and would not cost much, she said.

The Public Disclosure Commission learned of the violation from a complaint from Nic Van Putten, said Lori Anderson, spokeswoman for the commission. Van Putten is a consultant working for the campaign of Prosecutor Russ Hauge, who is running for re-election. Both Scales and Hauge are Democrats. Also in the race are Tina Robinson, a Republican, and Bruce Danielson, an independent.

Campaign materials regularly draw complaints, Anderson said.

"That's why we have the warning policy," Anderson said. Candidates who are found to have violated the rule are given an opportunity to correct their materials before the commission considers sanctions.